Iraq’s Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee has announced plans to conduct a wide-ranging review of previous armament and equipment contracts signed by the Ministries of Defense and Interior, amid concerns about possible financial irregularities and waste of public funds.
Committee member MP Yasser Watout said many contracts signed in past years have raised serious questions regarding their costs and overall value. According to him, some agreements included prices that appeared significantly higher than prevailing market rates, prompting concerns about potential financial mismanagement.
Watout explained that the committee intends to carry out a detailed examination of these contracts in the coming weeks. The goal is to review the terms, assess spending, and determine whether public funds were used appropriately. He said the committee hopes the process will help identify any losses and support efforts to recover wasted resources where possible.
In addition to reviewing defense and security contracts, the committee is continuing its work on legislation related to Iraq’s internal security forces.
One of the key projects currently underway is a new retirement law for Interior Ministry personnel and officers. Watout revealed that the draft legislation has already been completed and is now waiting to be formally submitted to Parliament for discussion and approval.
If passed, the law would establish updated retirement provisions for Interior Ministry employees and officers, addressing issues related to service, benefits, and retirement procedures.
The committee’s efforts reflect broader attempts to strengthen oversight, improve transparency, and ensure greater accountability in government institutions. Lawmakers have increasingly called for closer monitoring of public spending, particularly in sectors that manage large budgets such as defense and security.
The upcoming review of procurement and equipment contracts is expected to draw significant attention, as it could shed light on how public funds were spent over previous years and whether reforms are needed to improve future contracting processes.
At the same time, the proposed retirement law remains an important issue for thousands of Interior Ministry personnel who are awaiting updates to regulations affecting their careers and future benefits.
Both initiatives are expected to be discussed further as Parliament resumes work on pending legislative and oversight priorities.
